The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday handed a one-match ban to South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada following his celebration after removing England captain Joe Root in the ongoing third Test. As a result, Kagiso Rabada is now set to miss the final Test of the four-match series. After the first Day’s play on Thursday, Kagiso Rabada admitted to the offense as he copped a demerit point for his gestures on the field. After the ban, former England captain Michael Vaughan took to Twitter to express his views and called the decision “absolutely bonkers”.
“Rabada getting a 1 game ban for celebrating taking the Wicket of the opponents best player is absolutely bonkers … Over rates & slow play, nothing gets done … Celebrate a wicked and you are banned … The World is bloody nuts … #SAvENG,” Michael Vaughan tweeted.
Rabada getting a 1 game ban for celebrating taking the Wicket of the opponents best player is absolutely bonkers … Over rates & slow play nothing gets done … Celebrate a wicked and you are banned … The World is bloody nuts … #SAvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 17, 2020
On Day 1, South Africa managed to pick four wickets before stumps after England openers provided a solid start for the visitors.
England were 117 for two at tea after captain Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat on a placid pitch on a hot, sunny day.
Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley gave England a solid start, reaching lunch at 61 for no wicket.
But South Africa came back strongly, dismissing both opening batsmen in similar circumstances and keeping a tight rein on the scoring rate after lunch.
Kagiso Rabada had Sibley caught at backward square leg for 36 and Anrich Nortje had Crawley caught in the same position for 44.
South Africa picked new cap Dane Paterson as a specialist fast bowler in place of all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius.
